The Most-Read/Most Prolific Poets of AW: January 2009

[dclary]

Doing a search of the top 100 (by # of reads) poems in the critique forum pure mathematical statistics prove what we artists are loathe to admit: numbers are awesome.

So here they are.


Of the 100 most-read poems of the last month, Feiss proved herself ungodly in her poetic output, garnering 18 poems in the top 100. The poetry forum's regular band of miscreants followed in distant position.

Poems in Top 100
feiss -- 18
dclary -- 8
godfather -- 7
ktc -- 7
william haskins -- 7
caseyquinn -- 5
dl hegel -- 5

For number of reads per poem, though, a few surprises.

Sadly, the troll-baiting epicurean garnered a whopping 393 reads for his only entry, thus proving we're more willing to watch a train wreck than comment on poets who truly desire crits.

poetinahat had only two entries this month, but he garnered an average of 262 reads each, as both of his poems were wonderful and stirred a lot of discussion.

Based on reads per poem:
Epicurean -- 393
poetinahat -- 262
perks -- 150
metis -- 149.5
zai -- 145
william haskins -- 135.7
stew21 -- 115


Anyway, there you go. Your stats for the month!

[Dichroic]

I feel so mediocre now! :cry:

[Feiss]

I feel so mediocre now! :cry:


I feel like I write a ton of poems, but not a lot of people read them

:eek:

[Shweta]

I don't write much

[moblues]

Di, you are far from mediocre.

I read your stuff, Feiss. I need to comment more.

Great stats, David.

I'll be looking for your next poem, Shweta.




Mike

[Izz]

wow - poetry crit is now a competition...

Quick, i must go post a poem and then open and close the page heaps to get my view count up. :)

[Epicurean]

hey, you're back

:Hug2:

how's life in the land of Troll?

Oh wonderful. I cross checked your advice (based on "knowledge"):

Line ends are punctuation in themselves, really. And if you are trying to write in a specific meter, you need to pay particular attention to where your lines break. And even if you're not, where you linebreak can contribute a whole lot to the sort of rhythm you want the poem to have.

With http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/p180-howtoread.html
3. Obviously, poems come in lines, but pausing at the end of every line will create a choppy effect and interrupt the flow of the poem's sense. Readers should pause only where there is punctuation, just as you would when reading prose, only more slowly.

And realized that you have no idea what you're talking about. Good day to you.

[Feiss]

What are you here for? Are you here to react to what people say about you, or are you here to write poetry? I am losing patience with you, many have already lost patience with you.

Why are you arguing instead of writing? Prove us wrong, write some poetry, show us some respect, I would love to respect you back.

Write poetry. Stop flaming.

[Epicurean]

What are you here for? Are you here to react to what people say about you, or are you here to write poetry? I am losing patience with you, many have already lost patience with you.

Write poetry. Stop flaming.
I kept my word.

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3239217&postcount=15

I haven't attacked anybody until now. But you're right. I'll stop.

[poetinahat]

Everyone,

Please use the 'report post' function (that little red triangle on the left-hand side) and the 'ignore user' option where appropriate, and let's glide back on topic.

[poetinahat]

Thank you for these stats, Dave - enlightening to look at.

I think having the badge tilts the numbers my way somewhat. And I think it might be a giant pain to do, but it'd be interesting to see the top critters. I'll mull on that, but I wouldn't expect to be able to do anything about it for a while.

[poetinahat]

And realized that you have no idea what you're talking about. Good day to you.
I think Iz' answer and yours are not necessarily in conflict - line breaks have an effect in reading to oneself that wouldn't show up in reading aloud (or reciting).

Now can we *please* not swipe at each other? That's not how we roll here.

[Epicurean]

I think Iz' answer and yours are not necessarily in conflict - line breaks have an effect in reading to oneself that wouldn't show up in reading aloud (or reciting).

True. I suppose its a difference in philosophy then.

[dclary]

I feel like I write a ton of poems, but not a lot of people read them

:eek:

At least you get replies, girl. You know how many of my things get like... 1 reply then fade to nothing?

/cries

[dclary]

Thank you for these stats, Dave - enlightening to look at.

I think having the badge tilts the numbers my way somewhat. And I think it might be a giant pain to do, but it'd be interesting to see the top critters. I'll mull on that, but I wouldn't expect to be able to do anything about it for a while.

I can gather that information, but dammit there better be the biggest cookie this side of heaven waiting for me if I do!!!

[dclary]

I don't write much

Yeah, but what you do, rocks, baby.

[Izz]

I can gather that information, but dammit there better be the biggest cookie this side of heaven waiting for me if I do!!!The prize is a cookie?

Race you there, deek...

[dclary]

Cookies are the currency of AW, my good man. Unless you're really lucky.

Then it's brownies! :D

[Shweta]

It could be brownies.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39996000/jpg/_39996897_spider_brownie.jpg

[dclary]

Great. Now you're going to have me worried about the chocolate pudding in the kitchen that ate the cat. Stop derailing my thread with evil forest denizens, devil-woman! ^_^

[Shweta]

Stop derailing my thread with evil forest denizens, devil-woman! ^_^

Why?

:sweet smile:


Besides <huffy> brownies are house fey. And when they're evil they're boggarts, anyway. </huffy>
Or something like that.

[Dichroic]

I think Iz' answer and yours are not necessarily in conflict - line breaks have an effect in reading to oneself that wouldn't show up in reading aloud (or reciting).



Line breaks have an enormous effect on what is emphasized and what is not - I think Moblues is the poster child for this. Every one of his breaks is where it is for careful reason. Steppe's another good local example, and it's something you can see him getting better at each time.

I agree with not putting an enormous long pause at break when reading aloud or you do run the risk of sounding like the Cat (not the Poet) in the Hat, but lines break where they do for a reason, which may be a pause in ideas or one in sound, and you serve the audience better if they can tell where they break.

(Opinions? Who, me?)

[Dichroic]

Why?

:sweet smile:


Besides <huffy> brownies are house fey. And when they're evil they're boggarts, anyway. </huffy>
Or something like that.


Only according to Susan Cooper boggarts can play hob in theaters, too.

No, wait, Hob's a different guy. I think.
(But the theater scene in The Boggart is really masterly, as it should be from someone who's married to Hume Cronyn.)

[dclary]

My favorite theater Boggart was Humphrey.

:roll:


I'm too much. Really.



Boggarts are an annoying pain but fun to kill in LOTRO if you have a good AOE spell -- a swarm of miniature goblins, in that game's monsterpedia.

[Izz]

I think we're getting away from the central topic here...


what flavor cookies?

[dclary]

They come with flavors?


(One of my favorite throwaway lines in Fellowship of the Ring: "They come in pints?")

[Izz]

:wag:

[Izz]

It's late and i'm very sleepy. P'raps i should hang up the keyboard before i implode the internet.

[Shweta]

I think we're getting away from the central topic here...


what flavor cookies?
I'm about to make cardamom-cashew-coconut cookies...

[Izz]

I'm about to make cardamom-cashew-coconut cookies...Hmmm - maybe i'll stay up for some of those... :D

[Shweta]

Hmmm - maybe i'll stay up for some of those... :D
Nah go to bed, they have to set in the fridge overnight.
I'll try to remember to share pics tomorrow :)

[KTC]

I don't understand why we would do something like this. I'm not at all impressed.

[dclary]

You don't like cookies?

[KTC]

I don't like the stats. I don't like the fact that a member who has not yet been banned has been called 'troll-baiting'. It may be true, it may not be. It's an accusation that does not respect the user...whether or not it's true. I don't like the sudden competitive nature of poetry forum action that I see taking place of late. I don't think these stats do anything but prove to poetry forum outsiders that there is a cliquey nature to the forums. People not on these stats have contributed to these forums just as importantly as those represented, just as uniquely. I'm unimpressed that it was not immediately shut down. It may have been started with the best of intentions, and I'm not doubting that, but I really see it as a bad idea. The thing that bothered me the most was what you said about the user epicurean. In forum land that's one of the biggest insults. It's either true or not, but it goes against the 'respect your fellow posters' rules...as far as I can tell, anyway.

Nothing personal, really, but I don't like this thread.

[dclary]

This is a fair complaint, KTC.

And you're right. It shows that there *is* a heavy leaning toward reading the poetry of our more established members. Whether this is good or not is always a matter for debate.

I pledged in Godfather's Wanderers thread to read and critique the fifty LEAST read poets, to help stimulate discussion of the poems that might need the most help and/or advice.

My stat post did not state that these were best poems of the month, nor the best poets of the month. I made three value statements: math is good, poetinahat's poems are good, epicurean is a baiter/inciter.

If you're upset at this thread for any reason other than "epicurean is baiting" then there's nothing I can do, except apologize and hope you understand that some people find statistics fascinating and wonderful.

I have been a denizen of internet messageboards since before the "web." I've been a hell-raiser, a fire-starter, and a flame-fighter. It doesn't take 25 posts to determine if someone's a troll baiter or not, but we have 25 to look at here. How many people on this site do you think get a post deleted for name calling within their first 25 posts? Maybe I'm wrong. I've certainly been wrong before. I haven't seen evidence of that here yet. But in case I am, I'll go ahead and apologize now for that too.

[Stew21]

I didn't think I'd be on any stats list. I haven't written many poems lately.

They are interesting numbers though.

[KTC]

Argh, Clary...i just like ya so damned much. why do you have to go and talk all reasonable like when i am feeling like a contrarian. Pffft.

[Kate Thornton]

oh. the haiku doesn't count, then?

it makes me so sad
i thought i was in heaven
godfather liked it

[Perks]

I think my appearance on the 'times viewed' list might serve to show that the numbers, while potentially interesting, don't really mean anything.

If I'm unsure of a poem, or contemplating a change based on suggestions or personal epiphanies, I may revisit a posted piece many times over the course of days to weeks until I fix it, decide I'm satisfied with it, or forget about it.

Out of my 150 views, 80 of them are probably mine for that last piece.

[Stew21]

I'm the same way, Perks. I check in on my own work for tweaks, re-reads and making note of others' comments fairly often. I could definitely drive that number of views up.

[dclary]

Argh, Clary...i just like ya so damned much. why do you have to go and talk all reasonable like when i am feeling like a contrarian. Pffft.

I respect you far too much to let you sit in the curmudgeonly chair TOO long, my friend. :)

[dclary]

oh. the haiku doesn't count, then?

it makes me so sad
i thought i was in heaven
godfather liked it


sorry kate thornton
i only analyzed works
from po'try critiques

[Epicurean]

It doesn't take 25 posts to determine if someone's a troll baiter or not, but we have 25 to look at here. How many people on this site do you think get a post deleted for name calling within their first 25 posts? Maybe I'm wrong. I've certainly been wrong before. I haven't seen evidence of that here yet. But in case I am, I'll go ahead and apologize now for that too.

It was in response to

Sadly, the troll-baiting epicurean garnered a whopping 393 reads for his only entry, thus proving we're more willing to watch a train wreck than comment on poets who truly desire crits.

Most of my other posts can hardly be called inflammatory--have they not included some mention of poetry?--and NONE before I read the above comment were directed at provoking you. And of course, by defending myself, I'm called the inciter (because I'm new and what do people do except take pot shots at the new person).

I'm not wasting any more time with forum politics. If anybody else would like to call me out for something, do it now so that I can put you on ignore and continue on my business.

[Dichroic]

If you're upset at this thread for any reason other than "epicurean is baiting" then there's nothing I can do, except apologize and hope you understand that some people find statistics fascinating and wonderful.


You know what, I *do* find statistics interesting. (As a Six Sigma Black Belt, I'd better.) But KTC has a point too. Statistics are impartial numbers (though they can be presented in a biased way - not that you did.) But human reactions to statistics are another matter. Human nature: we tend to take things personally. Your post was very interesting, but if you look at the responses, I think we *did* respond with a burst of competitiveness, and I think it's good for us to be called on it and reminded that poetry doesn't have to be a race. To be clear, I'm glad you posted because it was interesting, I think the response was entirely natural, *and* I appreciated the reminder from KTC.

Paula

[poetinahat]

Yep, not that I could read Godfather's mind - much rather see it from the end of his pen anyway.

But I believe the purpose of this exercise was just to get people critting, and moreover, to get people to crit the newcomers as well - get them involved. The best way to do that is to make this place something people *want* to be involved in.

But people want different things from it - hence the Critique and Chapbook areas being separate.

/trails off, stares into distance, wonders whether he dare to eat a peach... concludes he is old, he is old, he shall wear his trousers rolled/

[Ganesha]

my gut response was "oh what the hell, why write"
but then I pondered that I write cuz I absolutely love to write.
But these stats make me feel insignificant and unimportant. Yea my more evolved friends might say that's pure ego...well hell I've got an ego.
not selfless yet.
This development and contests make me feel sorry I have not chosen a field that could give me more positive feedback.
I loved posting on AW because I have felt this was one of the most positive sites. I was excited and honored to post on such a site...

[KTC]

Ganesha, you are a golden light in these poetry forums. I cherish your every post. You could not ever be insignificant here.

[Izz]

Ganesha, you are a golden light in these poetry forums. I cherish your every post. You could not ever be insignificant here.quoted for truth

[Norman D Gutter]

dclary:

Thanks for your work in pulling these stats together. Back when I was moderator/administrator of poetry forums I regularly ran the stats to see if subforums were viable, to see if members were abusing posting privileges or not pulling their fair share of the crit load. I'm a stat man, I guess, and so I find them useful. However, given that poetry is the most intense form of writing, I'm not sure that prolific output is always a good thing.

Hoping I'm not opening another can of worms, I give
best regards,
NDG

[Feiss]

my gut response was "oh what the hell, why write"
but then I pondered that I write cuz I absolutely love to write.
But these stats make me feel insignificant and unimportant. Yea my more evolved friends might say that's pure ego...well hell I've got an ego.
not selfless yet.
This development and contests make me feel sorry I have not chosen a field that could give me more positive feedback.
I loved posting on AW because I have felt this was one of the most positive sites. I was excited and honored to post on such a site...

I thought of you when the numbers were posted, the stats don't account for people who mostly write in games and exercises. I bet if they did, you'd be high up there, I go through a lot of the games/exercises threads, and when I see yours, there is glowing.

[poetinahat]

Ganesha, you are a golden light in these poetry forums. I cherish your every post. You could not ever be insignificant here.

quoted for truth



I thought of you when the numbers were posted, the stats don't account for people who mostly write in games and exercises. I bet if they did, you'd be high up there, I go through a lot of the games/exercises threads, and when I see yours, there is glowing.


Ganesha, you have your harem to consider. What are we to do?

You lead and inspire us more than you may know, beyond numbers.

[Ganesha]

thank you, but where are numbers?

[Dichroic]

Numbers: four "Ganesha is wonderful" posts in a row plus my rep comment. Call it 4.5.

And numbers don't lie ;)

[Ganesha]

Numbers: four "Ganesha is wonderful" posts in a row plus my rep comment. Call it 4.5.

And numbers don't lie ;)
S~M~I~L~E

[Priene]

Ganesha is wonderful, that's for sure.

But numbers are dreadful little fibbers.

[scarletpeaches]

Has my Ode to Deek's nipples been mentioned yet?

[KTC]

LOCK THREAD

[dclary]

Has my Ode to Deek's nipples been mentioned yet?

You know my girlfriend wants to thank you in person for that, right? She thought it was BRILLIANT.

[Ganesha]

yup I am feeling very shallow tonight. almost an emotional hyperventilating.

[Ganesha]

LOCK THREAD

did I tell you how much I love you yet?

[Ganesha]

my words may get so pale and small that no one could even see my post. sigh

[Ganesha]

I'm fading

[KTC]

when i feel
going going gone
i stand in the snow
and shout
when i hear me
i know
no going
no going
no gone

[Cassiopeia]

I've attempted to post a few poems because I promised Haskins I would.

A person can feel quite insignificant when statistics are posted. It serves to remind me that my poems are not viewed very much. That stings.

Nothing to be done about it though, it's just cold hard facts. Nothing personal right?

[Dichroic]

Cassiopeia: have you noticed that a few of our more rare posters are actually the ones with the most publication credits to their names?

[Cassiopeia]

No, I don't pay attention to things like that. I only notice it when people call it to my attention. Though I know it's not Deek's intention, it sorta rubs it in one's face.

[Ganesha]

Cassiopeia: have you noticed that a few of our more rare posters are actually the ones with the most publication credits to their names?
what's a publication credit?

[Dichroic]

what's a publication credit?

I meant "have the greatest number of published poems".

[Ganesha]

I meant "have the greatest number of published poems".
do yea mean in a book? you know what we all dream of?

[KTC]

I think Di means simply poems published. Either in journals or anthologies, etc.

[Dichroic]

I think Di means simply poems published. Either in journals or anthologies, etc.

Yup!

[Ganesha]

Yup!

thanks for clarifying.

[poetinahat]

No, I don't pay attention to things like that. I only notice it when people call it to my attention. Though I know it's not Deek's intention, it sorta rubs it in one's face.
Sorry, but I can't see how Dave's initiative can be seen as rubbing anything in anyone's face. He's trying to convey something interesting, and maybe motivate people to write.

Many folks here post poems and crit; others - some excellent poets - only show up in the games. No one is suggesting that one pursuit is more worthy than the other. Dave hasn't done that, and I don't think it's fair to accuse him of it. Especially when he is one of the most active here and cares so much about the Poetry Forum. Would that we all made so much of an effort.

In fact, I think both activities are vital here. Poets such as Ganesha, Rivana, and Albedo of Zero pretty much frequent only the exercises and games, and we're very lucky to have them among us. They do wonderful work.

How about if we counted the number of poems submitted in games and exercises? I think that'd show a different picture. Anyone who'd be keen to pursue that quest would be lauded, no doubt.

[Magdalen]

Less is More.
I had the same reaction (including the concept that Deek was NOT trying to offend) as Cass.

[KTC]

I think it's fair to say that many of us had a negative reaction when this thread appeared. Search my first couple of posts and you will see that I was unhappy.

[Cassiopeia]

Hey you know Poet, that part of my post that you quoted says that I know that is NOT Dave's intention. Did you misread it? Because you are accusing me of accusing him and I didn't do that. And while some might feel these are interesting statistics if makes it feel more like a contest which is NOT the intention of the OP.

I was merely saying how it felt. I don't see where that is the wrong thing to do. So I'd really appreciate it if my post could be read JUST the way I posted it. Again, here it is.

No, I don't pay attention to things like that. I only notice it when people call it to my attention. Though I know it's not Deek's intention, it sorta rubs it in one's face.

This isn't about Dave, it's about the posting of statistics. I understand his intention (I'm not upset with him); still, my feelings are my feelings and I won't apologize for them.

[poetinahat]

Feel however you want, dear Cass. I'd never suggest anything else. And, I hope you'll acknowledge, no one has asked you to apologise for them.

I did read your post exactly as you wrote it. Part of that post says "it sorta rubs it in one's face". If Dave's not doing the rubbing, then who is?

I am not going to countermand the posting of statistics; if you don't like them, don't read them. Others find them helpful. As you say, there's no malice in them.

[Cassiopeia]

Feel however you want, dear Cass. I'd never suggest anything else.

I did read your post exactly as you wrote it. Part of that post says "it sorta rubs it in one's face". If Dave's not doing the rubbing, then who is?

I am not going to countermand the posting of statistics; if you don't like them, don't read them. Others find them helpful. As you say, there's no malice in them.

I don't think Dave is the kind of person who rubs anything in anyone's face.

And I don't believe I've asked for anyone to countermand anything. I merely posted my reaction. Perhaps that is statistical in of itself.

[poetinahat]

Good - then there's no issue here.

Now, where were we?

[P.H.Delarran]

I almost hate to revive this.
but I want to say that when I do crit', which is not real often, I tend to pick one Poet and do maybe a few of their pieces over a short period of time
it's not as favoritism, but really an analytical tool for myself. a single poet's works will most likely carry a somewhat cohesive style that will influence the response when read as a body of work. especially pieces written within a common time frame.
thus, if one ran stats on my crits, they might see me favoring a few poets, but perhaps it's their style that I gravitate towards. I feel more comfortable giving input on some styles than others, although I do try to expose myself to diverse styles.